Today is the day i'm on xanax for 4 years?

Question

i have 4 question

can xanax damage a liver or kidney's
2nd: im on a 2mg to 4mg, 4 years already
3: Xanax Helps my G A D
4: what the hell am i going to go threw withdrawal. should i sub this medicine

Answer 1

Hey Mikey,
Being on Xanax is not very good to begin with unless you have a severe anxiety problem. 2mgs and 4mgs is a Pretty high dosage. However I believe that there are people out there that need such high dosages of Xanax. I am not sure about the health affects that could cause. And YES withdrawel is difficult and very dangerous ! Are the Xanax precribed to YOU?? That is the BIG no.# one "?" The only way to withdraw from Xanax is only with a doctor's guidance- he can withdraw or wein you down slowly-Or is you go in to a drug rehab place. These are the only two ways you can get off Xanax!!! I am really serious. If we try to wein ourselfs off , we can easily have drastic and deadly affects!!!!! It affects our heart, our blood pressure can skyrocted or declien so drastic it can cost you your life. Also a doctor or rehab "can" sub with another med. they monitor your heart-your blood pressure and any other vitals. I hope this is some help- I really am concerned for you. keep in touch my e-mail add. is
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GOOD LUCK FRIEND! AND GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I have been taking xanax, 0.25mg dose, for
16 years. It still helps me, even at the same dose. I have never needed to take it every day for long periods, but I take it more days than I don't take it. If you are worried, start to slowly cut back. I have been amitrypteline for about 12 years. It has been very hard for me to stop taking. It get terrible muscle spasms.

If you want to cut back or stop your xanax, first start taking magnesium supplements. Magnesium relaxes muscles, calcium contracts muscles. Then begin to cut back on the xanax by .5 mg ever third day for 10 days or so, to see how it goes. It should go fine. Then try every other day, then just keep it lower. If you need to stop along any of the steps and just stay there longer or go back up for a while, do it. Just have your goal in mind that you will be taking less or no xanax. I have been slowly weaning myself off amitryptillin for a while now and it has gone nearly perfectly. I have had to stop longer and stay at the does extra time, but then I start on lowering eventually.

This should prevent withdrawal. It just takes keeping your sense of purpose.

Answer 3

Xanax is the most addicting amongst the Benzodiazepines and the discontinuation process is a *****. As per the organ damage; Xanax releases it's metabolites through urine, so you may want to get a standard kidney function test from your Dr. if you're concerned.

One question, if the medication is working, why would you want to discontinue it? From what you discussed, it appears as if they are working - unless you are experiencing issues physically or mentally, I don't see why you shoul discontinue the drug.

If you're concerned about long term effects the drug may have on your memory or if you're just not comfortable being addicted to benzodiazepines, I would suggest you work out a plan with your Dr. to discontinue taking the drug. Xanax is an anticonvulsant, therefore it needs to be discontinued in a controlled manner under professional observation. You'll need to create a discontinuation schedule with your Dr. to insure you don't suffer through either, a discontinuation syndrome or have seizures.

For people who experience GAD and have substance abuse problems, no Dr. will prescribe Xanax or any other Benzodiazepines; most of the time, they prescribe Seroquel, which is an antipsychotic, that provide similar sedation effects to Xanax and is non-addictive. You may be able to switch to this med for futre GAD treatment.

In regards to the long term treatment of GAD, in addition to meds, I would suggest talk therapy. I would suggest this for any type of mental disorder, where drugs work really well in helping us manage our condition, but they are not the end all in psychiatric cures. It becomes beneficial to work with a psychologist to develop a foundation of understanding of your condition and develop some skills in dealing with it, combined with the meds. That will ultimately put you in the best position possible.

Good luck.

Answer 4

that small a dose over this kind of quick interval is not going to rationale withdrawal from the xanax in any respect.... however you continue to would move into the DTs from loss of alcohol. Would recommend you speak in your healthcare professional approximately rehab.

Answer 5

If you really want to stop, the only way is to taper off slowly. Going off at once after 4 years can cause seizures and actually kill you.